Newbury MP Lee Dillon has told defence minister Wes Streeting the Government should give West Berkshire Council money and specialist support to help it scrutinise the proposed redevelopment of the Atomic Weapons Establishment at Aldermaston, known as the Future Materials Campus.
"The proposed Future Materials Campus represents a significant investment in the country's defence capabilities and will support highly specialised engineering and manufacturing in the area for decades to come," said Mr Dillon.
WBC is already in hock to the Government with exceptional financial support of about £30m and has said it will need specialist external support to assess the plans properly - it will have to hire consultants. An outline planning application is expected this winter.
"London 2012 was not delivered by expecting a single local authority to manage a project of national significance without substantial support from central government; a project of this national significance needs a similarly joined-up approach with national and local government working hand in hand."
Mr Dillon has asked for a coordinated, cross-government approach led through the Cabinet Office with support from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Ministry of Defence to bring together the required expertise. "I would therefore be grateful if you could bring together the Cabinet Office, MHCLG, the Ministry of Defence and West Berkshire Council to agree the funding, expertise and support that will be required ahead of the forthcoming planning application," he added.
The Ministry of Defence has yet to comment.
Niki Hinman, Local Democracy Reporter
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